PistonPowered
Fansided

Offseason Report Card: Pistons get two As, four Bs for summer moves

By Josh Cornelissen

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 22: Ausar Thompson (R) poses with NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) after being drafted fifth overall pick by the Detroit Pistons during the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 22: Ausar Thompson (R) poses with NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) after being drafted fifth overall pick by the Detroit Pistons during the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 8
Next
Pistons vs. Pacers prediction
Ausar Thompson #9 of Detroit Pistons (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images) /

1. Drafted Ausar Thompson

Drafted Overtime Elite wing Ausar Thompson with the No. 5 in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Through much of the predraft process, it appeared that the two hyper-athletic twins from the new player development program Overtime Elite were going to be viewed very differently. Amen Thompson was always considered to be the better prospect, while his brother Ausar was supposed to be a tier below.

Yet as the NBA Draft drew closer, more and more draft analysts and reporters began to present an alternate message. Was it possible that two twin brothers with the same athletic gifts playing for the same program could actually have similar upsides?

Related Story. Early returns show risk may have paid off for the Pistons. light

To their credit, the Detroit Pistons followed through on that assessment, not letting Ausar fall past their pick at No. 5. The “younger” brother by about a minute, Ausar played as more of a wing for Overtime Elite while Amen ran the point. That allowed Ausar to develop as a cutter and catch-and-shoot player, skill development that will help to launch him into the league.

Ausar is 6-foot-6 with absolutely elite athleticism that gives him a very high floor as both a player and defender. The development of his ball skills and shooting will determine how high his ceiling is, but given the other options available it made perfect sense for the Pistons to take him at No. 5 overall.

Grade: A

Home/Pistons News